Ways of Planning and Writing a Research Paper

The paper or the screen, blank as it is, stare at every student who needs to write a research paper. Sounds familiar? Well, research paper planning and writing are two of the most challenging things you’ll have to do in your student years.

However, there are things that can make this much easier for you. When your paper is due in a few days and you have no idea how to organize your time, the tips to write a research paper below should help you master this from start to finish.

1. Choose a Great Topic

The quality and success of the research paper depends greatly on its topic. Therefore, one of the best research paper tips anyone can give you is to find the perfect topic. Without it, your great writing skills won’t prove your worth to the professor. The most successful papers are the ones that interest the reader.

This makes this first step crucial. Depending on the paper and its requirements, you need to select a topic that won’t get the readers bored.

Every week, get a digest of Top African News and Articles from The African Exponent.

• When you have narrowed it down, read other research on each topic to see how far it has been investigated

• Base your final decision on the research you did, as well as your preference.

2. Search for Good Sources

You can’t go starting off a research paper if you don’t have an idea what to write in it. This is why research goes first.

In many cases, research takes more time and dedication than the writing itself. This is why, when the deadline is too tight, students have trouble with the research and can’t finish in time. They hire a professional and cheapest research paper writing services to do this for them, but if you organize your time right, you might be able to meet the deadline after all.

When you were choosing a topic, you had preliminary research. Now it is time to add some time for research in your schedule and start reading. Check statistics, facts, and verified sources of information. There are plenty of reliable internet sites where you can look, and let’s not forget the library!

3. Make Your Thesis Statement

Even though it’s short, the thesis statement is the core of a research paper. Write it before you start writing anything else. It usually belongs in the introduction, but even if you write this last, your thesis statement should be ready before you start writing.

4. Create an Outline

The best way to start a research paper is by creating an outline. The outline will guide you while you’re writing and help you organize the paragraphs in your essay.

Take your research notes and spread them in the intended order in your outline. Then, take this outline in front of you and use it to write.

5. Start Writing

Most papers have the same basic outline: introduction, body, and conclusion. Depending of the type of a research paper and the requirements of your professor, you might have to add few other chapters like abstract, results section, discussion section, etc.

The introduction comes first in a paper, but this doesn’t mean that you have to write it first. Many leave it for last and start writing it only when they’re done with the body paragraphs. This lets them get acquainted with the flow of the paper. Only when they are absolutely certain how the paper goes, they can introduce the topic in the introduction.

The conclusion serves its own big purpose. It isn’t just a repetition of what you’ve said. Its goal is to summarize and potentially give recommendations for future research.

6. Cite the sources and Format the Paper

By using the formatting style required, cite your sources and format the paper accordingly. Feel free to use generators and tools to do this. It usually takes more time than most students think, so make sure to leave enough time in your schedule for this, too.

Once you’re done, edit and proofread your paper. This is really important, so do not skip it.

The Bottom Line

Every research paper is different in its own way. Your work will depend on the topic, length of the paper, type, as well as the instructions your professor handed to you. In any of these cases, the tips above can be applied. Make sure to leave enough time for the paper to be written, follow the steps, and you’ll be done in no time!